In the wake of the Lions of the Atlas’ decisive victory over Uganda (4-0) at the Grand Stade de Tanger, Hoalid Regragui provided a candid analysis of the situation at a press conference. Satisfied with the result and the performance, the coach reminded that only the Africa Cup of Nations will give full value to the project established over the past year and a half.
“Yes, I am satisfied, but the reality of football is that we need to win the AFCON for everything to be concrete,” Regragui stated. “Otherwise, we will always talk about a game plan.”
“There is a post-South Africa that we have managed”
The coach reflected on the significance of the trauma linked to the defeat in the Round of 16 of AFCON 2023 against South Africa. According to him, this stage marked a turning point in the reconstruction of the team:
“If I am to be judged, or if this team is to be judged, it will be based on the match against South Africa. But there is a post-South Africa that we have managed. Since then, we have achieved 19 victories and one draw in a year and a half.”
Regragui also emphasized that the majority of these matches have been played in Morocco, a factor he considers positive as they approach a home-hosted AFCON:
“We have shown that at home, we are difficult to play against.”
Progress, rejuvenation, and group management
Beyond the results, the coach highlighted the progress of the group and the renewal of the squad. Several young players finished the match against Uganda on the field:
- Eliesse Ben Seghir (20 years old)
- Bilal El Khannouss (21 years old)
- Ilias Akhomach (21 years old)
- Sofiane Diop (25 years old)
- Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal (19 years old)
- Anass Salah-Eddine (21 years old)
“We are not here to experiment three weeks before the AFCON, but we need to integrate the young players gradually. They are the future of Morocco, but we also need certainties.”
Regragui expressed satisfaction with the overall mindset:
“We are scoring goals, and we are conceding few. Some supporters may have concerns, especially against big teams, but we do not doubt ourselves.”
Hakimi and Aguerd absent, but solutions found
The coach reminded that several key players were missing, notably Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd, two defensive pillars. Despite these absences, the team showed encouraging cohesion:
“We saw Mazraoui on the right, and we gained a player on the left with Anass. We have prepared for the present, the medium term, and the future.”
“What interests me is to remain in history”
Regragui concluded his remarks by returning to the main objective: to win the AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
“In the end, what remains for us is to win a title. It is everyone’s dream. For me, what interests me is to win. What interests me is to remain in history.”
With a few weeks left to fine-tune the final details and hope to avoid injuries, the Lions of the Atlas will approach the AFCON with confidence, but also with the awareness that nothing is guaranteed.
